Whether you’re looking for a portable espresso maker to take camping or to an AirBNB it is important to find one that is going to work. Between scalding water and high pressure, espresso makers require precise tolerances and careful engineering to function well.

Portable espresso makers take these constraints and add the additional complexity of miniaturization. Make sure to start each morning of your vacation off with a shot of freshly brewed espresso instead of with frustration and under-extracted brown water!

The ten options below run the gamut from ‘ultra-light’ to ‘modern-art’ and all produce reliable espresso on the go. Read on to figure out which portable espresso machine fits your needs!

TOP PICK: Wacaco Nanopresso

The Wacaco Nanopresso is the upgraded version of the Wacaco Minipresso. It weighs less, is smaller, and requires less effort to brew great espresso. This espresso maker literally can go anywhere but is perfectly at home on your kitchen counter.

"Love it!! Perfect coffee in[sic] the go. I bought it for work and yet it’s now my home coffee maker of choice!" - Karen, customer

How To Choose the Right Portable Espresso gadget

Weight

When it comes to deciding on bringing a coffee brewer on your trip, weight is usually the deciding factor. Nobody in their right mind would bring a home espresso maker with them, but in terms of portable ones - they range in weight.

While all of the espresso makers here are portable (in that they come with carrying cases, are durable, and compact), they vary considerably in weight. Some are light enough to reasonably bring along on a multi-day hike, while others are better suited to less weight dependent ventures like canoe camping or an airline’s checked luggage.

Ultra Light (180-340 grams)

If you intend on backpacking and waking up to shot of espresso then ultra light is the ideal option (unless you are a glutton for both espresso and punishment). Most backpackers tolerate instant coffee as an adequate substitute for the real thing, but we’re here to drink espresso so let’s just assume that isn’t going to cut it.

The lightest portable espresso makers are in the 220-340 gram (8-12 ounce) range and if you pack well can easily be accommodated on a multi-day trek. Have more than one person coming along? Perfect, have them carry some of your gear and treat them to a shot of espresso each morning for their trouble.

Light (340-500 grams)

If you intend on taking your espresso maker everywhere except on multi-day hikes, then this weight will be perfect. At this weight, your espresso maker is light enough to toss in an overnight bag, a checked bag, or even a purse without encumbering you.

Portable (500+ grams)

Above half a kilogram portability becomes a function of ease of use, packability, and durability more than weight. These units are best used when based out of a car, a camper, or brought to a vacation house.

What types of coffee can it brew?

The machines shown here variously brew coffee using ground coffee beans, ESE pods, and Nespresso pods. In my experience, ESE and Nespresso pods are the best choices for camping as they allow the easiest cleanup.

“Leave No Trace" - If you pack it in, pack it out. Coffee grounds might be biodegradable, but don’t leave them at your campsite!

However, the ability to use ground coffee is a considerable boon as pods are nearly impossible to find outside of major metropolitan areas. Getting to your campsite and realizing you forgot your pods can spell disaster if your espresso maker can’t handle ground coffee! All of the models below are able to use ground coffee beans.

Some of the espresso makers listed here can also brew tea - but since brewing tea typically only requires hot water and a tea bag, that capability hasn’t been highlighted.

Is it covered by warranty?

Espresso makers have a tough job. Nearly boiling water, hundreds of PSI, and lots of tiny sealing surfaces all working together. A warranty brings peace of mind - letting you know that the company that made the gadget you plunked down the better part of a hundred bucks for has faith in its quality control and is willing to repair or replace any failed units.

All of the espresso makers in the following list come with at least a one year warranty, and the incredibly overbuilt Flair Signature comes with a 5-year warranty. Typically, warranties do not cover o-rings, glass parts, or other wear surfaces, but if these parts fail they can usually be replaced without much effort or cost.

Heat Source

One thing that makes most of these espresso makers portable is that they are entirely manual coffee machines. This means that you provide all of the impetus to turn water into espresso. In most cases, this includes heating the water. Some of these espresso makers are indifferent to how you heat the water: microwave, stovetop, grill, whatever. Others, like the aluminum Bialetti Moka Express, can’t be used with a microwave or with induction stovetops.

If finding some way to heat the water is a problem there are a few options that will take care of that step for you - but they will require access to an electrical socket.

These espresso makers work best when they have been preheated. Just like your home espresso maker, a cold machine will result in tepid and unpleasant espresso!

Looking like a cross between a bicycle pump and something you’d find in the bottom drawer of a bedside table, the Handpresso Wild Hybrid certainly doesn’t look like an espresso maker. But, appearances can be deceiving: this hand-powered machine delivers reliable espresso time after time. While not perhaps light enough to justify bringing along on a multi-day hike, it is easy to throw into luggage. The body of the unit is metal and it feels like you could use it as a hammer in a pinch (note: do not use as a hammer).

The “Hybrid” designation of this unit lets you know that it is capable of brewing ESE pods as well as ground coffee. If you only need one or the other, cheaper models are available.

Unique amongst the collection of portable espresso makers shown here is that this unit is pressurized first and then filled with water. This makes the process of brewing into espresso cups particularly easy since you don’t have to pump the machine and aim simultaneously.

I have personally used this unit every day for 4 months, averaging 5 or 6 shots of espresso per day, in addition to bringing it on countless other trips. I’ve made espresso with it from the Okefenokee Swamp to the Mojave Desert and it still works like new.

PROS

Built to last

Easy to use

Lightweight

CONS

Awkwardly shaped

Pricey

Best Suited For: The Handpresso Wild Hybrid is perfect for people who want to drink their espresso every day but don’t want to have a countertop unit taking up valuable real estate. As a bonus, it can be thrown into a suitcase with a handful of ESE pods for making espresso on the road.

The Handpresso Auto is the only 12-volt powered model in this list, making it perfect for long car or RV trips. This unit is essentially a tiny countertop unit, heating and pressurizing the water. While larger and heavier than the Handpresso Wild Hybrid, the Handpresso Auto’s requirement of 12-volt power means you probably weren’t planning on taking this unit on any long hikes!

PROS

Does not require access to hot water

Good for those with low hand dexterity/strength

Portable

CONS

Pricey

Requires 12volt power or an adaptor

Best Suited For: If you’re spending a lot of time on the road and want to drink great espresso, even in coffee deserts, this espresso maker is for you. This machine is also great for those with limited hand strength or dexterity.

The Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker offers a degree of customization not seen in any of the other espresso makers here. The optional Barista Kit comes with multiple sizes of filter basket and water tanks.

With these additional accessories, the Nanopresso is capable of brewing single shots of espresso, double espresso, long shots of espresso, and any permutation in between. Compared to the Wacaco Minipresso, the Nanopresso requires less physical effort to use, meaning that even if you’ve got limited hand strength or dexterity you can still make delicious espresso on the go. (1)

PROS

Super compact

Ultra Lightweight

Optional Large Water Tank

Customizable

Easy to use

CONS

A little more expensive than the slightly larger/heavier Wacaco Minipresso

Best Suited For: If you’ve got strong opinions about your espresso and want to be able to customize your shots this espresso maker has you covered! Even if you aren’t interested in micromanagement, this handheld espresso maker’s tiny size and light weight make it a great machine to take when bulk is the enemy.

The Wacaco Minipresso, while not quite as impressive as its younger brother the Nanopresso, is still a rugged machine that delivers delicious espresso. If you’re on a budget but absolutely demand proper espresso, this machine will meet your needs.

The pumping action is a bit stiffer than its competitors, but the underlying mechanism is durable and easy to clean. The one major downside is you’ll have to select whether you want to brew from coffee grounds or from Nespresso pods before you buy - there are separate models for each brewing method.

PROS

Compact

Durable

Lightweight

CONS

Slightly cumbersome

Limited to a single brew type

Best Suited For: If you’re on a budget but want to a handheld espresso maker that you can use anywhere the Wacaco Minipresso is a great choice.

The AeroPress is the lightest and most compact of all of the portable espresso coffee makers here. Sure, it isn’t technically an espresso maker, but it can serve up wonderful espresso-like coffee in a pinch and you’ll be able to take it anywhere. Even hikers counting every gram have to grudgingly acknowledge that the 184-gram weight is worth it for having good coffee to drink after sleeping on the ground!

The device itself is virtually unchanged since it was released in 2006 - the only noticeable difference is that the plastic was formerly clear and now is a transparent black (3). As an added bonus you aren’t limited to espresso: you can make coffee and cold brew with it as well.

PROS

Super compact

Ultra Lightweight

Versatile

CONS

Doesn’t make true espresso

Best Suited For: If you want the best-tasting coffee with the least amount of weight, the AeroPress is the right choice for you. Also great if you are interested in alternatives to espresso, like coffee or cold brew.

Making espresso doesn’t get easier than this. Add water to the base, allow it to preheat briefly, then add your grounds to brew chamber and let it do its thing.

"Traditionally brewed Moka pots result in burnt, ashy brews. To make sure this doesn’t happen to your coffee, heat the water beforehand. Using room temperature or cold water will leave the coffee grounds on a hot metal surface for too long." - Perfect Daily Grind

Not ready to drink it right away? No problem, the DeLonghi has a keep warm feature that’ll keep your coffee hot for 30 minutes. Unlike many of the other options here, this coffee machine is able to serve multiple people (or one person in desperate need of caffeination) without having to brew separate batches.

While Moka pots don’t technically deliver espresso, they do make dark, dense, and delicious espresso-like coffee. In order to qualify as espresso, the ground coffee must be extracted at 9 bars of pressure while Moka pots are only able to generate about 2 bars of pressure. (4)

PROS

Super easy to use

Does not require access to hot water

Good for groups

Portable

CONS

Requires electricity

Bulky

Best Suited For: If you’re looking for a travel coffee maker that can serve multiple people while staying in hotel rooms, AirBNB’s, or RV’s then the DeLonghi is a great choice.

The original Bialetti Moka Express coffee machine was invented in 1933 and the design is virtually unchanged to this day. The reason things haven’t changed is that this quality espresso coffee maker is exceptionally robust, makes great coffee, and can be used almost anywhere.

From the early 1950s to the present day, Bialetti has manufactured over 200 million coffee makers. - Bialetti

Unlike some of its peers, the Moka Express must be heated directly over your heat source.

If you want a more portable option, the Moka Express comes in a 1-cup size, although the pot itself is not significantly smaller for its reduced capacity. Similarly, the Moka Express has larger sizes available if you are interested in serving larger groups.

PROS

Durable

Good for groups

Inexpensive

Lightweight

Classic

CONS

Not suitable for use with induction burners or microwaves

Best Suited For: If you want to be able to brew yourself espresso coffee on a grill, over a fire, or on a stovetop the Bialetti Moka Express is a nearly indestructible choice.

If you are looking to drink your espresso by its lonesome, then other espresso makers on this list will probably be a better choice. However, if your morning pick-me-up involves foamed milk, then the Staresso Portable Espresso Machine is your only portable option that brews espresso and foams milk. An added perk to the Staresso is that if you are traveling light you won’t need to bring a cup as one is built into the machine.

When you’re done, cleanup is a breeze and involves a simple rinsing with warm water. Cleanup is slightly more involved if you find yourself making milk-based beverages, but the company recommends using an alcohol and water solution to ensure a complete rinse.

Some people have noticed that the pumping action of the Staresso is more difficult than other pump-style machines like the Wacaco Nanopresso and Minipresso, so if you have limited hand strength or dexterity you may want to consider foregoing this particular model. The difficulty in pumping seems to increase over time, leading some to doubt its long-term reliability, but the 2-year manufacturer's warranty offers some peace of mind.

PROS

Able to foam milk

Lightweight

Includes cup

Easy to clean

CONS

Requires a fair amount of strength to use

Questionable long-term durability

Best Suited For: The Staresso SP-200 is best suited for those who want to be able to make foamed-milk based beverages like cappuccinos and macchiatos while on the road or camping.

The Flair Signature Espresso Maker looks less like a kitchen gadget and more like something you’d see on a plinth in an art museum (particularly in chrome!). While this is the heaviest espresso maker by far in this list, the Flair actually packs into a relatively compact travel case that makes it great for bringing out to the lake house, visiting the in-laws, or even car camping trips.

The Flair is a true manual coffee machine and offers you complete control over your shot: grind, tamp, water temperature, pressure, and timing.

With lever machines, the barista is in control. If a certain coffee needs a longer pre-infusion or extracts more flavor with a distinct pressure profile, it is easy to do this. They allow creativity and experimentation. - Perfect Daily Grind

Like many of the offerings on this list the Flair does not require any electricity to operate but will require you to have some means of heating your water. The Flair has an optional pressure gauge for those who are scientifically minded, but it is entirely possible to pull great shots without it.

PROS

Beautiful

Virtually indestructible

Portable

Heavy

CONS

Not suitable for use with induction burners or microwaves

Best Suited For: If you want an espresso maker that you can bring almost anywhere AND that doubles as a conversation piece, the gorgeous Flair Signature is the one to get.

Okay, this is a French press… but bear with me! Light enough to take anywhere, durable enough to toss around, and capable of making a great cup of coffee, the Bodum Travel Press is a great option for traveling coffee drinkers.

The insulated cup means that you’ll be drinking hot coffee even when you’re camping in the winter. Also, the press brews enough for you to share with a friend without having to immediately brew a second batch.

PROS

Lightweight

Durable

Insulated

Dishwasher safe

Doubles as drinking vessel

CONS

Doesn’t actually brew espresso

Best Suited For: If what you’re looking for is a travel coffee maker with the ability to quickly and easily brew a strong cuppa joe while on the go, particularly in cold weather, the Bodum Travel Press is a great choice.

The Verdict: What is the Best Portable Espresso Maker?

Finding the right portable espresso machine might be the difference between starting your day on the trail or vacation off with a cup of espresso or starting it off with frustration and a mess.

The Wacaco Nanopresso is the perfect blend of portability, cost, ease of use, and taste. You’ll be able to take this espresso maker anywhere that you can make hot water. It is able to use ground coffee as well as Nespresso pods so whether you want the convenience of pods or the flavor of your favorite local roast you’re set.

How much does the AeroPress weigh? (2019, February 9) Retrieved from https://aeropress.com/faq/how-much-does-the-aeropress-weigh/

Prinsloo, M. (2019, March 18). The History of The AeroPress, From Concept to Championships. Retrieved from https://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2019/03/the-history-of-the-aeropress-from-concept-to-championships/

Alex

Alex is the Founder and Editor of Homegrounds.co. He is passionate about brewing amazing coffee at home, and teaching others to do the same.

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